Size doesn’t matter

Imagine wanting to be a basketball player, but being barely three feet tall. Now imagine being the object of stares, pointing fingers, derisive laughter and insults your entire life. Would you feel encouraged to pursue anything you want to do in life? Would you feel like anything other than a reject?

Dream Team Orig Mitsui first started 34 years ago, when the service staff of the original Hobbit House in Malate thought of putting up a basketball team to bond, exercise and entertain. With a makeshift court in the small lot behind the bar, the little people began to build their big dream.

“We want to show people what we can do, even if we’re like this,” explains Richard Morehon, whose father was one of the founders of the traveling team. “We tell our fellow little people not to be ashamed or embarrassed about who they are.”

The squad has lived with their in-born condition and way of life. They’ve been all over the country, entertaining the masses, playing full-court games against youth and regular adults. But every so often, some opponents get frustrated or humiliated, and try to bully or hurt the tiny barnstormers.

“You can’t avoid that sometimes, the other team gets upset, especially when we’re beating them,” say co-founder Riche Albarida. “We tell the organizers that it’s all just for entertainment, and the kids are part of the act.”

Having overcome so much already, Dream Team Orig Mitsui has beaten many of their opponents. All they ask is to be treated equally, like everyone else around them. They will continue to be a novelty act, selflessly amusing their countrymen in their own way. In return, they only request for respect.

“Fair treatment is all we want,” Morehon adds. “We know who we are, and we show what we’re capable of. Just like everyone else, we just want to play basketball, make friends, and let everyone leave with a smile.”

So you see, the only size that matters is the size of your heart. And the littlest ones among us are living proof.

You can watch the full story of Dream Team Orig Mitsui on the new Basketball Universe channel on Facebook and YouTube.